.MTM1OA.MTE1MDMz

266

feeling drawn to the shore to welcome me and invited us in the most cordial manner possible to come into his home as it was wet and cold. having no shelter but a tent fly.. and being subjected to one of those cold rains they have in the north we deemed it well to accept the hospitality. with the help of the boys the [?] and camp and put [?]them under cover. The afternoon proved clear and light. and we left the wigwam and went to Rice Lake. returning after an hour. we caught the squaw of Red Turtle in the act of Just tying up the last of our [?] sacks. she had opened all and taken out half of all our stuff. We although his guest were his enemies and to plunder us was legitimate. (Here insert 266a entire)

  The Ojibway are as a rule more fond of their children and we believe less cruel to their squaws than the Dakota.  In the camps in the "Sugar bush" the young indian is permitted by his father to tumble over him and pull him about with the greatest impunity the romp continuing for hours.
  The children among indians are as a rule frolicsome and playful and not given to quarreling they seldom if ever indulge in a fight with the fists as do the white boys their whole time is their own and they frolic about like other wild animals without a thought or care.  If hungry they seek food if tired physically (they never are mentally) they lie down and rest.  Wild animals have no sense of morality and neither [?] indians and their acts which in the civilized man are denounced as animal are treated with indifference by the indian.   Men will make broad Jests and lewed remarks about and in the presents [sic] of their neighbors since in company with their husbands. not only without shame but with [four unclear words] they absolutely have no fine sense of morals.
  The deference paid to age in the indian camp is something surprising an indian of no matter what age defers to his senior or superior. they may come from the awe the indian has of any thing supernatural. or being possessed of more [?medecine?] than him self. the older a man grows the more experience and knowledge he possesses. and indians are shrewd observers and noting the wisdom of an elder they respect it.  The same respect is paid to one who is afflicted or demented.   The Story is narrated of a ranch man who was taken prisoner by a band of hostile Dakota and he saved his life by feigning to be insane.  Taking a fishing rod he [?] he went out on the prairie to fish. and the indians watched him and then